The federal government announced close to half a million dollars in support to help people struggling with homelessness in Saskatoon on Monday.
The money will be distributed to support initiatives at the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre and Lighthouse Supported Living.
The Indian and Métis Friendship Centre will receive a little over $250,000 to renovate client-meeting space and hire three new staff positions.
The Lighthouse will get a little over $200,000 to develop a bed bug heating chamber, renovate its laundry facilities and hire one staff person.
Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar Conservative MP Kelly Block says the new money is part of the government’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy.
“It’s the cornerstone of our renewal of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy,” she says. “It’s been very successful in other countries. We have launched this program, it’s been launched across the country and we are seeing great success.”
Friendship Centre Executive Director Bill Mintrim says the money will help staff work with clients and assist them to build the necessary relationships in order to find housing.
“Being able to find out what avenues do you have to move yourself from being blacklisted, what barriers have you encountered, being able to give solid advice on budgeting, on counseling, being able to provide referrals,” he says.
The funding will be used to hire two rapid rehousing case managers and one centralized intake staff person at the Friendship Centre and a housing locator position at The Lighthouse.
The Indian and Métis Friendship Centre will work in conjunction with the Friendship Inn on its homeless initiatives.
The announcement was made at The Lighthouse.